line
line Lexical Profile
line Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A long, narrow mark or band on a surface.
"She used a ruler to draw a perfectly straight line across the page."
American A sequence, series, or queue of people or things.
"We waited in a long line at the grocery store checkout."
A length of cord, rope, wire, or other material serving a particular purpose.
"He cast his fishing line into the deep water, hoping for a bite."
• verb
To stand or be positioned at intervals along a route, boundary, or edge.
"Cheering crowds lined the streets to watch the championship parade pass by."
To cover the inner surface of a garment, container, or other object with a layer of material.
"The tailor decided to line the winter coat with thick fleece for extra warmth."
To mark or cover a surface with lines.
"Age and years of harsh weather had deeply lined the old sailor's face."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, 'line' is commonly used to describe a sequence of people waiting (e.g., 'standing in line'), whereas British English typically uses the word 'queue'.
• Rhymes for line
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'līne' (cable, rope) and Old French 'ligne' (a line, thread), both ultimately deriving from Latin 'linea' meaning a linen thread or string, from 'linum' (flax).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.